Planform refers to the shape and layout of the fuselage and wings of fixed-wing aircraft. Throughout aviation history, there has been a wide variety of planforms used in both experimental and production aircraft. Generally, these designs can be categorized based on the aircraft’s intended speed. For low-speed aircraft, the most common planform is the straight wing and its various forms. In contrast, high-speed aircraft, which operate at transonic or supersonic speeds, typically feature swept wings or, less frequently, delta wings. Understanding these planform types is essential for appreciating aircraft design and performance.
